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K Takimoto

Publications and source records attributed to K Takimoto.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Organization and characterization of the rat class 3 aldehyde dehydrogenase gene.

Expression of class 3 aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH-3) is constitutive or inducible, depending on the tissue. ALDH-3 induction occurs both during neoplastic development and after exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). In order to study the regulation of ALDH-3 gene expression, ALDH-3 genomic sequences have been obtained from normal rat genomic DNA. Two overlapping genomic fragments (ALDH-UTR-1 and ALDH-NL2) contain the entire ALDH-3 gene along with considerable 5'- and 3'-flanking sequences. The rat ALDH-3 gene spans approximately 9 kilobases in length and consists of eleven exons; ten coding and one 5'-noncoding. The region 5' to exon one contains several putative transcription factor binding elements which may be important in the TCDD inducibility of this gene. These include a xenobiotic response element (XRE), a drug response element (DRE), LAP and Ap1 binding sites, and one Sp1 site. There are considerable differences in organization between the rat and human class 3 ALDH genes. Primer extension and RNase protection analysis indicate that both basal and TCDD-inducible expression of the ALDH-3 gene utilize the same multiple transcription start sites.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase↗

Dexamethasone rapidly induces Kv1.5 K+ channel gene transcription and expression in clonal pituitary cells.

Glucocorticoids specifically increase Kv1.5 K+ channel mRNA in normal and clonal (GH3) rat pituitary cells. Here, we demonstrate that dexamethasone, a glucocorticoid agonist, rapidly induces Kv1.5 gene transcription, but does not affect Kv1.5 mRNA turnover (t1/2 approximately 0.5 hr) in GH3 cells. Immunoblots indicate that the steroid also increases the expression of the 76 kd Kv1.5 protein approximately 3-fold within 12 hr without altering its half-life (t1/2 approximately 4 hr). In contrast, Kv1.4 protein expression is unaffected. Finally, we find that the induction of Kv1.5 protein is associated with an increase in a noninactivating component of the voltage-gated K+ current. Our results indicate that hormones and neurotransmitters may act within hours to regulate excitability by controlling K+ channel gene expression.

Animals↗

Glucocorticoid induced up-regulation of a pituitary K+ channel mRNA in vitro and in vivo.

Hormones might produce long-term changes in cell excitability by regulating K+ channel gene expression. Recently, we found that dexamethasone increases expression of Kv1.5 K+ channel mRNA in GH3 rat pituitary tumor cells. We wished to test if this effect is specific for the Kv1.5 gene, if it is mediated by activation of glucocorticoid receptors, and whether it occurs in normal pituitary cells. Here we report that dexamethasone treatment of GH3 cells for 3 hours increases Kv1.5 mRNA without affecting Kv1.4 or Kv2.1 K+ channel mRNAs or D Ca2+ channel mRNA. Treatment with sex steroids fails to alter Kv1.5 mRNA levels, while natural glucocorticoids increase expression of the channel mRNA. RU38486, a competitive inhibitor of glucocorticoid receptors, inhibits the response to dexamethasone. We then tested whether Kv1.5 mRNA is induced by dexamethasone in normal rat pituitary cells. To study in vivo effects, channel mRNA levels in pituitaries from adrenalectomized rats were measured with RNAse protection assays. One day following dexamethasone injection Kv1.5 mRNA was increased 8-fold. Dexamethasone induction of Kv1.5 mRNA was also found in primary cultured anterior pituitary cells. We conclude that activated glucocorticoid receptors specifically induce Kv1.5 K+ channel mRNA expression in normal and clonal anterior pituitary cells.

Adrenal Glands↗

Regulation of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-inducible expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase in hepatoma cells.

The environmental contaminant, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induces the expression of a number of genes. The biochemical process of the induction of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH-3) was investigated in rat H4IIE hepatoma cells in culture. The kinetics of ALDH-3-induction exhibited parallel increases in the rate of transcription, mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity, all reaching a plateau at 36-48 h after addition of TCDD. Half maximal and maximal inductions occurred at 0.1 and 1 nM of TCDD, respectively. No significant changes in the half-life of ALDH-3 mRNA (14 h) were observed in the cells exposed to three different concentrations of TCDD. Other inducers of xenobiotic metabolism, such as 3-methylcholanthrene and beta-naphthoflavone, also induced ALDH-3 mRNA to a similar level as TCDD, whereas antioxidants or electrophiles, such as tert-butylhydroquinone and dimethyl fumarate, did not show any induction of ALDH-3 mRNA. To examine the involvement of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ah receptor) in the induction of ALDH-3, mouse variant cell lines defective in cytochrome P450IA1-induction and a parental wild type cell line (Hepa1c1c7) were studied. ALDH-3 mRNA and the transcription of its gene were detected in TCDD-treated wild type cells, but not in the treated and untreated variant cells. These results demonstrate that TCDD induces transcription of the ALDH-3 gene via its binding to the Ah receptor.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase↗

G:C-->T:A and G:C-->C:G transversions are the predominant spontaneous mutations in the Escherichia coli supF gene: an improved lacZ(am) E. coli host designed for assaying pZ189 supF mutational specificity.

Escherichia coli K12 strain KS40 and plasmid pKY241 were designed for easy screening of supF mutations in plasmid pZ189. KS40 is a nalidixic acid-resistant (gyrA) derivative of MBM7070 (lacZ(am)CA7020). Using in vitro mutagenesis, an amber mutation was introduced into the cloned gyrA structural gene, of E. coli, to give pKY241, a derivative of pACYC184. When KS40 containing pKY241 (designated KS40/pKY241) is transformed with pZ189, nalidixic acid-resistant GyrA protein is produced from the chromosomal gyrA gene and wild-type GyrA protein from pKY241 because of the suppression of the gyrA amber mutation by supF. It is known that the wild-type, otherwise nalidixic acid-sensitive, phenotype is dominant over the nalidixic acid-resistant phenotype. Thus, KS40/pKY241 gives rise to nalidixic acid-sensitive colonies when it carries a pZ189 plasmid with an active supF suppressor tRNA. If the supF gene on the plasmid carries an inactivating mutation then KS40/pKY241 will form nalidixic acid-resistant colonies. By using this system, the spontaneous mutational frequency of the supF gene on pZ189 was calculated to be 3.06 x 10(-7) per replication. Among 51 independent supF mutations analyzed by DNA sequencing, 63% were base substitutions, 25% IS element insertions, 9.6% deletions and 1.9% single-base frameshifts. The base substitutions included both transversions (84.8%) and transitions (15.2%), the largest single group being G:C to T:A transversions (45.4% of the base substitutions). These results demonstrate that the KS40/pKY241 system we have developed can be used to characterize the DNA sequence changes induced by mutagens that give very low mutational frequencies.

Base Composition↗

Agents for the treatment of overactive detrusor. II. Synthesis and inhibitory activity on detrusor contraction of 1,1'-biphenyl-2,6-dicarboxylic acid diesters with an aminoalkyl group in the ester function.

A series of 1,1'-biphenyl-2,6-dicarboxylic acid diesters with an aminoalkyl group in the ester function were synthesized and examined for their inhibitory activity on detrusor contraction in vitro and in vivo. In the in vivo test, arrhythmia was observed as a side effect. Among those compounds synthesized, 2-methyl 6-[4-(1-methylpiperidinyl)] 3-hydroxy-5-methyl-2'-nitro-1,1'-biphenyl-2,6-dicarboxylate (18) showed strong inhibitory activity on detrusor contractions in vivo (ED50 = 0.54 mg/kg i.v., ED50 = 7.2mg/kg i.d.) and good separation from the side effect. Compound 18 was chosen for further pharmacological evaluation as an agent for the treatment of overactive detrusor.

Animals↗

Superinduction of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-inducible expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase by the inhibition of protein synthesis.

Inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide or puromycin super-induced the 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-inducible isoform of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH-3) in rat hepatoma cells. Treatment with cycloheximide did not affect the basal expression but markedly enhanced the TCDD-inducible expression of ALDH-3 mRNA. The co-treatment of cycloheximide and TCDD for 24 h caused a 10-fold greater accumulation of ALDH-3 mRNA than did TCDD alone. The transcription rate of the ALDH-3 gene in the co-treated cells was also 4- to 5-fold higher than that in the cells treated with TCDD alone. The superinduction of ALDH-3 mRNA was observed only when cycloheximide was added prior to or simultaneously with the addition of TCDD. These results suggest that the mechanism of TCDD-inducible transcription of the ALDH-3 gene involves a labile protein that modulates or represses the action of TCDD.

Actins↗

Specificity of mutational DNA sequence changes induced by X-rays in the cloned Escherichia coli crp gene.

Plasmid DNA carrying the adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate receptor protein (crp) gene of Escherichia coli was irradiated, in solution, with X-rays, and the mutations produced in the crp gene were assayed by transforming the recipient E. coli cells. Ninety-six mutant clones were isolated, and mutational changes were determined by DNA sequencing. Of the 92 mutations thus detected, 74 represented base substitution mutations and the remaining 18 were frameshifts. The base substitutions included 56 G:C to A:T transitions, 10 G:C to T:A transversions and 7 G:C to C:G transversions. An A:T to G:C transition was found only once, and neither an A:T to T:A nor an A:T to C:G transversion was detected. The frameshift mutations consisted of 11 one-base deletions and 7 one-base insertions. Accordingly, G:C to A:T transition was the predominant type of mutation, which constituted 76% (56/74) of the total base substitutions and 60% (56/92) of all detected mutations. Furthermore, of the 56 transitions, about three-quarters (41 clones) clustered at an identical site, a cytosine residue at the 706 position, demonstrating that this site is a distinct hot spot for X-ray mutagenesis. These results raise the possibility that radiation-induced mutations may not necessarily occur randomly, at least in certain cases.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Agents for the treatment of overactive detrusor. I. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 1,1'-biphenyl derivatives.

A series of 1,1'-biphenyl-2,6-dicarboxylic acid diesters were synthesized and examined for their inhibitory activity on guinea-pig detrusor muscle contraction at electrical field stimulation in vitro. Among them, 6-isopropyl 2-methyl 3-hydroxy-5-methyl-2'-nitro-(1,1'-biphenyl)-2,6-dicarboxylate, FR75513 (8a) was one of the potent compounds (IC50 = 3.3 x 10(-6) g/ml). This compound (8a) exhibited a strong inhibitory activity on detrusor contraction after intravenous administration in anesthetized rats (ID50 = 0.04 mg/kg).

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of membrane-bound inositolpolyphosphate 5-phosphatase.

Membrane-bound inositolpolyphosphate 5-phosphatase was solubilized and highly purified from a microsomal fraction of rat liver. Its physiochemical and enzymological properties were compared with those of highly purified preparations of two types of soluble enzyme (soluble Type I and Type II) from rat brain. The molecular masses of the membrane-bound and soluble Type I enzymes were 32 kDa, while that of soluble Type II enzyme was 69 kDa, as determined by molecular sieve chromatography. The membrane-bound and soluble Type I enzymes showed similar broad peaks on isoelectric focusing (pI 5.8-6.4), while soluble Type II enzyme showed multiple peaks in the region between pI 4.0-5.8. All three enzymes required divalent cation for activity. Mg2+ was the most effective for both the membrane-bound and soluble Type I enzymes, while Co2+ enhanced soluble Type II enzyme activity about 1.5-fold relative to Mg2+ at 1 mM. The optimal pH of both the membrane-bound and soluble Type I enzymes was 7.8, while that of soluble Type II was 6.8. The Km values for inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] of all three enzymes were similar (5-8 microM), but those for inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate [Ins(1,3,4,5)P4] were quite different, the Km values of membrane-bound and soluble Type I enzymes being 0.8 microM, while that of soluble Type II was 130 microM. These similarities between the membrane-bound and soluble Type I enzymes suggest that these two molecules may be the same protein, and that concentrations of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, both of which are considered to play critical roles in the regulation of intracellular Ca2+-concentration, may be differently regulated by two functionally distinct enzymes.

Animals↗

C6 glioma cells produce basic fibroblast growth factor that can stimulate their own proliferation.

With purified preparations of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), we studied the effect of its growth-promoting activity on C6 glioma cells. We also examined with its antibody whether the cultured glioma cells could produce it. It was shown that bFGF stimulated the DNA synthesis and proliferation of C6 glioma cells in serum-free medium, and that the activity was potentiated by heparin, the bFGF concentrations for half-maximal stimulation being 0.2 and 5 ng/ml in the presence and absence of heparin, respectively. This effect of heparin was dose-dependent and was half-maximal at 0.5 microgram/ml. Next, we raised the antiserum against bFGF and detected a single immunoreactive band from extracts of C6 glioma cells by immunoblot analysis. The immunoreactive substance was partially purified on a heparin-Sepharose column and was shown to stimulate the DNA synthesis of C6 glioma cells. On the basis of its immunoreactivity, molecular weight, affinity for heparin, and growth-promoting activity, this substance was identified as bFGF. The content of bFGF in the cells was elevated as the cell density increased, but no immunoreactivity was detected in the conditioned medium of the cells. These results suggest that C6 glioma cells produce and store bFGF which is potent in stimulating their own growth.

Animals↗

[The sensitized rate of preformed antibodies in the candidate of renal transplant recipient].

It is important to examine the presence of preformed antibodies in hemodialysis patients before renal transplantation, because it causes the graft rejection in organ transplantation. In the 239 hemodialysis patients we analysed 3 preformed antibodies divided TW, BW and BC. Sensitized rate (TW+, BW+ and BC+) was 0% at no blood transfusions (BT), 9.3% at 1-5 BT and 28.9% at 6 more BT. The number of blood transfusions increased the sensitized rate (TW). Sensitized rate (BW+, BC+) was 6.2% at no BT, 9.3% at 1-5BT and 12.0% at 6 more BT, while sensitized rate (BC+) was 33.3% at no BT, 26.7% at 1-5BT and 14.5% at 6 more BT. There was no correlation between the number of blood transfusions and the sensitized rate (BW+, BC+). At one year after the first check, 69.2% of TW positive patients was converted to TW negative and 53.8% of BW positive patients was converted to BW negative each. Further studies of the preformed antibodies are required to assess the clinical course of long surviving patients.

Adolescent↗

Purification and properties of inositol-1,4-bisphosphate 4-phosphohydrolase from rat brain.

Inositol-1,4-bisphosphate 4-phosphohydrolase (inositol-1,4-bisphosphatase) was highly purified from a soluble fraction of rat brain. On SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the purified enzyme gave a single protein band and its molecular weight was estimated to be 42000. The isoelectric point of the enzyme was 4.3. The enzyme specifically hydrolyzed the 4-phosphomonoester linkage of inositol 1,4-bisphosphate. The Km value for inositol 1,4-bisphosphate was 30 microM, and it required Mg2+ for activity. Ca2+ was a competitive inhibitor with a Ki value of 60 microM as regards the Mg2+ binding. Li+, which is known to be a strong inhibitor of inositol 1-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.25), inhibited the enzyme activity and caused 50% inhibition at a concentration of 1 mM (IC50 = 1 mM). Li+ was an uncompetitive inhibitor of substrate binding with a Ki value of 0.6 mM. These inhibitory parameters of Li+ were quite similar to those for inositol 1-phosphatase (IC50 = 1 mM, Ki = 0.3 mM). Thus, the effect of Li+ on decreasing the free inositol level with a subsequent decrease in agonist-sensitive phosphoinositides, is caused by its inhibition of multiple enzymes involved in conversion of inositol 1,4-bisphosphate to inositol.

Animals↗

Phosphotyrosine phosphatase: a novel phosphatase specific for phosphotyrosine, 2'-AMP and p-nitrophenylphosphate in rat brain.

A unique phosphatase that selectively hydrolyzed phosphotyrosine and 2'-AMP at alkaline pH and p-nitrophenylphosphate at neutral pH was isolated from a cytosolic fraction of rat brain. The purified enzyme appeared homogenous on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and its molecular weight was estimated to be 42,000. The molecular weight of the native enzyme was 45,000 as determined by molecular sieve chromatography. These findings indicate that the native enzyme is a monomer protein. At pH 8.6, the enzyme hydrolyzed L-phosphotyrosine, D-phosphotyrosine, 2'-AMP, p-nitrophenylphosphate, 3'-AMP, 2'-GMP, and 3'-GMP; the ratio of its activities with these substrates was 100:96:115:68:39:25:16. Its Km values for L-phosphotyrosine, 2'-AMP, and p-nitrophenylphosphate were 0.8 X 10(-4) M, 1.4 X 10(-4) M, and 1.7 X 10(-4) M, respectively. At pH 7.4, the enzyme hydrolyzed p-nitrophenylphosphate, L-phosphotyrosine, and D-phosphotyrosine; the ratio of its activities with these compounds was 100:17:17, and its Km values for L-phosphotyrosine and p-nitrophenylphosphate were 1.8 X 10(-4) M and 2.0 X 10(-4) M, respectively. The enzyme activity was dependent on Mn2+ or Mg2+, and was strongly inhibited by 5'-nucleotides, pyrophosphate, and Zn2+. The enzyme was not sensitive to inhibitors of some well-characterized phosphatases such as NaF, molybdate, L(+)tartrate, tetramisole, vanadate, and lithium salt. The physiological role of the enzyme is discussed with respect to its activities toward phosphotyrosine, 2'-AMP, and p-nitrophenylphosphate.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Reactivation and mutagenesis of herpes virus in 5-azacytidine-treated monkey kidney cells.

Enhanced survival of UV-damaged herpes simplex virus and Simian virus 40 was investigated in CV-1 monkey cells treated with inhibitors of DNA methylation such as 5-azacytidine and ethionine. Survival of UV-irradiated virus was higher in treated cells than in untreated cells. Survival of herpes virus irradiated with 60Co gamma-ray was not enhanced in the treated cells. The frequency of forward mutation of herpes virus increased in 5-azacytidine-treated cells. Relative content of methylcytosine was reduced in the cells treated with 5-azacytidine. Therefore a mechanism similar to UV-enhanced reactivation of virus was operating in the cells with hypomethylated DNA.

Animals↗